Oregon bans Native American mascots in schools

SALEM, Ore. (AP) -- The Oregon Board of Education has voted to require Oregon schools to retire their Native American mascots within five years or risk losing state funding.

The vote Thursday gives Oregon some of the nation's toughest restrictions on American Indian nicknames, mascots and logos.

Eight high schools will need to change their nickname and mascot by July 2017 or lose state money. Seven schools identified as the Warriors only have to alter their mascot.

Since the 1970s, more than 600 high school and college teams have dropped Native American nicknames, including 20 in Oregon. But some small communities have resisted the trend, saying their nickname is a source of pride and tradition.